The Giant president, John Mara, says the team was misguided in how it managed its relationship with Brown. He says the team hopes Brown will dedicate himself to rehabilitation and becoming a better person and father.

We believed we did the right thing at every crossroad in our relationship with Josh, said Mara. Our beliefs, our judgments and our decisions were misguided. We accept that responsibility.

We hope that Josh will continue to dedicate himself to rehabilitation and to becoming a better person and parent. We will continue to support him in his efforts to continue advise, and we hope that Josh and his family can find peace and a positive resolution.

The release came shortly after the player told ESPN he had he never hit his wife during a six year period when he admits spousal abuse.

It is important to share that I never struck my wife, and never would, Brown said. Abuse takes many forms, and is not a gray area. Through the past several years I have worked to identify and rectify my own behaviors. The road to rehabilitation is a journey and a constant modification of a way of life. My journey will continue forever as a person determined to leave a positive legacy and I embrace the opportunities to show and speak about what has helped me to be that man.

In the interim, I am cooperating with the Giants and the NFL. Thank you to everyone that has supported me, I will not let you down.

Brown was previously suspended for the opening game of the season for violating the leagues personal conduct policy after the NFL analyse his arrest in May 2015 for spousal abuse against his now ex-wife, Molly. Brown was not charged by local authorities in the case in Washington state.